Query completion based on location

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and computer storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that return query completions are provided. A user of a computing device like a mobile phone may enter a prefix. In turn, the prefix and location information associated with the device are transmitted to a server device. The server device receives the prefix and location information. The prefix and the location information are matched with names and locations of entities stored in a database connected to the server device. The server device transmits query completion data to the mobile device. The query completion data includes one or more names that complete the received prefix. The names provided by the server device may be associated with entities that are within a threshold radius of the location information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Nonprovisional patent application is a continuation of U.S.Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 16/385,983, filed Apr. 16,2019, titled “QUERY COMPLETION BASED ON LOCATION,” which is acontinuation of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/721,789, filed May 26, 2015, titled “QUERY COMPLETION BASED ONLOCATION,” which is a divisional application of U.S. Nonprovisionalpatent application Ser. No. 13/233,772, filed Sep. 15, 2011, titled“QUERY COMPLETION BASED ON LOCATION,” all of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Conventional search engines receive requests from users that are seekinginformation. The requests are formulated on computing devices used bythe users. The computing devices may include input interfaces, e.g.,touch screens, keyboards, keypads, etc., that receive the requests.Users may have difficulty entering the requests into the conventionalinput interfaces because of disabilities associated with the user, largefingers, or awkward configurations for the conventional inputinterfaces.

Some conventional computing devices are configured to provide querysuggestions to the user based on the number of characters received fromthe input interface. Because typing is difficult with small keypads andsmall fonts, query suggestions allow the user to quickly enter items andreduce the number of characters that a user needs to type. At times,e.g., when the user is stressed for time, such query-inputting can alsobe problematic. This is particularly true when the user is engaged insearch behavior on a computing device that is a small mobile device,where alpha-numeric textual input may be more difficult for some users.

For instance, a user may type “Br” in the input interface and thecomputing device may return query suggestions, such as “Bristol,”“Brooklyn,” “Bravo,” or “Broken.” The query suggestions are receivedfrom the conventional search engine. The conventional search enginereceives the characters “Br” and identifies queries from its query logthat partially match “Br.” In turn, the queries are transmitted to theuser as query suggestions.

The conventional search engine generates suggestions that are agnosticof the location associated with the user. The suggestions received bythe conventional computing device may be ranked based on queryfrequency. However, the suggestions are not ranked based on location.For instance, the conventional query suggestions may include entitiesfrom locations far from the current location of the user.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

Embodiments of the invention relate to providing query completions basedon a prefix and location entered by the user. While the user is enteringa query but before the user submits a completed query for a search to beperformed, query completions are identified by a search engine. Thequery completions may be ranked. In one embodiment, query completionsare for entities, such as restaurants and bars. The query completionsfor these entities may be ranked based on location and popularity. Thequery completions are provided to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and notlimited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numeralsindicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system environmentsuitable for use in implementing embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary computing device includinga user interface on which query completions may be presented, thecomputing device being suitable for implementing embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is a graphical user interface illustrating a display of the querycompletions in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is another graphical user interface illustrating a display of thequery completions in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a map diagram illustrating exemplary levels and tiles for thedatabase utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a logic diagram illustrating an exemplary method to providequery completions in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an exemplary computing systemenvironment suitable for implementing embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing another exemplary computing systemenvironment suitable for implementing embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the embodiments of the invention is described withspecificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, thedescription itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent.Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject mattermight also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps orcombinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, inconjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover,although the terms “step” and/or “block” may be used herein to connotedifferent elements of methods employed, the terms should not beinterpreted as implying any particular order among or between varioussteps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individualsteps is explicitly described.

Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to providing querycompletions to a user. The query completions are received from a searchengine. The search engine includes a completion component that performsa partial match on an entity database to provide the names of entitiesthat match a query prefix and location received from the user. The querycompletions are provided to the user while the user is entering thequery prefix but before the query is completed and submitted to thesearch engine by the user for a search to be performed. As a userincrementally enters each character of the prefix of a query, querycompletion data is received and updated as the prefix of the querychanges. For instance, if the user intends to enter the search query“computer,” the query completions are received as the user updates theprefix as follows: “c,” “co,” “com,” “comp,” “compu,” “comput,”“compute,” and “computer.” As each query prefix is received, querycompletions are determined by the completion component. In turn, thequery completions are transmitted to the user as the user types inadditional characters of the query.

As used herein, the term “query completion” refers to a portion of thequery that is selected based on a received prefix and provided to theuser for performing a search. By way of example, if the user has typed“co,” the query completions may include, for instance, “coffee,“computer,” “condo,” “cobalt,” “columbia,” “cocoa,” and “Colorado,”“corner store,” “cover,” etc. In some instances, the query completionincludes the string from the query portion (i.e., “co”) at the beginningand may include entities that are located within a threshold radius ofthe user that provided the prefix. By presenting query completions asthe user is entering the query prefix, the user does not need tocomplete entering the entire query or the user may be presented with aquery the user prefers over what the user originally intended to enter.The user may select the query and cause a search to be performed usingthe selected query.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, query completionsare selected from an entity database that is accessible by a searchengine server. Among possible other information, the entity databaseincludes the name and address of entities in various regions of theworld. When the user is entering a query prefix, a query completion isreceived that may include the names of one or more entities that are apartial match on the prefix. The one or more names are returned to theuser as query completions. The query completions that match the queriesmay be narrowed down based on the location of the user.

Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide a search engine thatis configured to efficiently provide query completions based onlocation, e.g., longitude and latitude of the user. The longitude andlatitude of the user is provided to the search engine by the computingdevice. This allows the search engine to target results to specificlocations associated with the user. For instance, the location data mayspecify a neighborhood. The query completions that are returned may belimited by both location and prefix. The entities that start with theprefix and closest to the user may be included in the query completions.In some embodiments, a radius for the matching location is adjustedbased on the result size to maintain efficient completion of the prefixat typing speed. Thus, query completions returned to the user mayinclude the names of local entities, stores, food trucks, salons, spas,restaurants, which partially match a prefix entered by the user.

In one embodiment, the user provides a prefix via a computing device.The prefix and a location of the user are transmitted to a search enginethat includes a query completion component. The query completioncomponent receives the prefix and location and identifies entities thatmatch the prefix and location. The query completion component returnsthe matching entities as query completions to the computing device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system environment100 suitable for use in implementing embodiments of the invention. Thecomputing system environment 100 includes a computing device 110, asearch engine 112, a data store 114, and a network 116. It will beunderstood and appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art thatthe computing system environment 100 shown in FIG. 1 is merely anexample of one suitable computing system environment and is not intendedto suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality ofembodiments of the invention. Neither should the computing systemenvironment 100 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirementrelated to any single module/component or combination ofmodules/components illustrated therein.

The computing system environment 100 includes a computing device 110, asearch engine 112, and a data store 114, all in communication with oneanother via a network 116. The network 116 may include, withoutlimitation, one or more local area networks (LANs) and/or wide areanetworks (WANs). Such networking environments are commonplace inoffices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet.Accordingly, the network 116 is not further described herein.

In some embodiments, one or more of the illustrated components/modulesmay be implemented as stand-alone applications. In other embodiments,one or more of the illustrated components/modules may be integrateddirectly into the operating system of the search engine 112 and/or thecomputing device 110. It will be understood by those of ordinary skillin the art that the components/modules illustrated in FIG. 1 areexemplary in nature and in number and should not be construed aslimiting. Any number of components/modules may be employed to achievethe desired functionality within the scope of embodiments hereof.Further, components/modules may be located on any number of servers orclient computing devices. By way of example only, the search engine 112might reside on a server, cluster of servers, or a computing deviceremote from one or more of the remaining components.

It should be understood that this and other arrangements describedherein are set forth only as examples. Other arrangements and elements(e.g., machines, interfaces, functions, orders, and groupings offunctions, etc.) can be used in addition to or instead of those shown,and some elements may be omitted altogether. Further, many of theelements described herein are functional entities that may beimplemented as discrete or distributed components or in conjunction withother components/modules, and in any suitable combination and location.Various functions described herein as being performed by one or moreentities may be carried out by hardware, firmware, and/or software. Forinstance, various functions may be carried out by a processor executinginstructions stored in memory.

The computing device 110 and the search engine 112 shown in FIG. 1 maybe any type of computing device, such as, for example, mobile computingdevice 700 described below with reference to FIG. 7. By way of exampleonly and not limitation, each of the computing device 110 and the searchengine 112 may be a personal computer, desktop computer, laptopcomputer, handheld device, mobile handset, game console, consumerelectronic device, or the like. It should be noted, however, thatembodiments are not limited to implementation on such computing devices,but may be implemented on any of a variety of different types ofcomputing devices within the scope of embodiments hereof.

The computing device 110 shown in FIG. 1 may be a mobile computingdevice, such as a mobile telephone. It will be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art that the mobile computing device 110 is merelyexemplary and that the computing device 110 may be any type of computingand/or communication device, such as a personal computer, textualcommunication device, or the like. The computing device 110 includes asearch selector 110 a and a display screen 110 b. The search selector110 a shown in FIG. 1 is a single hardware button that, when selected,triggers an indication to the search engine 112 that a search isdesired. While shown in FIG. 1 as a hardware search selector, the searchselector 110 a may be a software search selector, a hardware searchselector, or a combination hardware and software search selector, asdesired.

The display screen 110 b is configured to display information to theuser of the computing device 110, for instance, information relevant tocommunications initiated by and/or received by the computing device 110,typing activity, browsing activity, content items, and the like. Forinstance, the display 110 b may render the prefix of a query that isbeing entered by the user. In some embodiments, the computing device 110periodically sends the prefix of the query and the location of the userto the search engine 112. In turn, the computing device 110 receivesquery completions from the search engine 112. A user of the computingdevice 110 may select one of the query completions and initiate a searchwith the search selector 110 a. Embodiments of the invention are notintended to be limited to visual display but rather may also includeaudio presentation, combined audio/visual presentation, and the like.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art thatcomputing system environment 100 is merely exemplary. While the searchengine 112 is illustrated as a single unit, one skilled in the art willappreciate that the search engine 112 is scalable. For example, thesearch engine 112 may in actuality include a plurality of computingdevices in communication with one another. Moreover, the data store 114,or portions thereof, may be included within the search engine 112 and/orthe computing device 110 as a computer-storage medium. The single unitdepictions are meant for clarity, not to limit the scope of embodimentsin any form.

As shown in FIG. 1, the search engine 112 may include, among otherthings, a completion component 112 a. In some embodiments, the querycompletion component 112 a may be implemented as a stand-aloneapplication. In other embodiments, the query completion component 112 amay be integrated directly into the operating system of the computingdevice 110. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat the query completion component 112 a illustrated in FIG. 1 isexemplary in nature and in number and should not be construed aslimiting. Any number of components may be employed to achieve thedesired functionality within the scope of embodiments hereof.

The query completion component 112 a may receive the prefix and locationfrom the computing device 110. The query completion component 112 a isconfigured to provide completions to the user as the user incrementallyenters a query. In some embodiments, the search engine 112 incrementallyreceives portions of a query as the user enters each character. Newquery completions may be received after each keystroke or other input bythe user. For instance, suppose the user wishes to enter the searchquery “coffee.” The prefixes received by the search engine 112 as theuser types each character would include “c,” “co,” “cof,” “coff,”“coffe,” and “coffee.”

In some embodiments, time-based approaches may be employed to providequery prefixes to the search engine 112. For instance, the search engine112 may continuously receive a query prefix each time a predeterminedperiod of time lapses, whether or not the query prefix has changedduring that time period. In other embodiments, the query prefix may beanalyzed at predetermined time intervals for changes and each time achange is identified, the search engine 112 receives the new queryprefix. Any and all such variations are contemplated to be within thescope of embodiments of the invention.

As each prefix of the query is incrementally received while the user isentering the search query, the query completion component 112 aidentifies query completions that may be provided to the user. The querycompletions may be identified from names of entities stored in datastore 114. Generally, the query completion component 112 a may attemptto determine what query the user intends to submit before the useractually completes entering the query and submits the completed searchquery. Additionally, the query completion component 112 a may attempt toprovide ranked query completions related to what the user is enteringand where the user is currently located.

The data store 114 is configured to store information associated withvarious entities. The information may include, without limitation,entity name, entity popularity, entity reviews, entity address, links touniform resource locators (URLs) for the entity, and the like. In someembodiments, the data store 114 is searchable by the query completioncomponent 112 a for one or more matches to the prefix and location data.The matches may include partial matches. It will be understood andappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the informationstored in association with the data store 114 may be configurable andstored in a relational database format or a hierarchical format. In someembodiments, the records of the database are tries that are associatedwith various locations of the world. The content and volume of suchinformation are not intended to limit the scope of embodiments of theinvention in any way. Further, though illustrated as a single,independent component, the data store 114 may, in fact, be a pluralityof storage devices, for instance a database cluster, portions of whichmay reside on the search engine 112, the computing device 110, anotherexternal computing device (not shown), and/or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments the data store 114 may include information onentities located throughout the world. The location of the entities maybe divided in several levels. Each of the levels includes tiles thatgroup entities. At each level the geographic scope of the tiles arereduced. Accordingly, each entity, or point-of-interest (POI), belongsto a specific tile at each level. In other words, all the entities arerepresented at each level. But each tile may include a variable numberof entities. In some embodiments, the average density (number ofentities per mile) may be higher when levels have fewer tiles. Higherlevels, e.g., levels with smaller identifiers may contain fewer tilesthan lower levels, e.g., levels with large identifiers.

Multiple levels may be used to divide dense areas into smaller regionsto minimize the number of ranking calculations required for a specificcoordinate entry. For an incoming prefix and a coordinate pair, thefollowing may be carried out by the query completion component 112 a.The query completion component 112 a maps the coordinate pair to aspecific tile ID in a first level. If the first level contains morematching entries than a specific threshold or range, e.g., 50 matchingentries as a ceiling, the query completion component 112 a selects alower level and performs this check until the threshold is satisfied oruntil it reaches the lowest level. At the appropriate level, the triewill return entities that start with the given prefix. If the number ofentities is below a specific limit, e.g., 50, the query completioncomponent 112 a may include entities from neighboring tiles (N, S, E, W,NE, NW, SE, and SW) of the tile having the location. The querycompletion component 112 a may then mark each retrieved entity with arank based on longitude, latitude, popularity, etc., provided with eachmatching entity. The top 8 entities with the highest ranks are returnedby the query completion component 112 a. If fewer than 8 entities arereturned, the query completion may update the location with a city,state, or country of the matching entities to locate additional entitiesthat match the prefix or that contain the prefix. In other embodiments,the data store 114 may include popularity tries that store the mostpopular entities for a city, state or country. The query completion mayfirst look for the additional entities based on the city popularitytrie, state popularity trie, or the country popularity trie.

Accordingly, the query completion component 112 a may consider thedensity of the entities at each level based on prefix and locationmatches. In turn, the query completion component 112 a may select thebest matches as query completions when a threshold number of matches arefound. In certain embodiments, the data store 114 may include tries thatinclude a level identifier, tile identifier, and entity name. The triereturns a variable number of entity names per key (level identifier,tile identifier, and prefix) and also returns the number of entitiesavailable for a key within constant time. Each trie may includeinformation like longitude, latitude, popularity, etc., required to rankthe entities.

Components of the computing device 110 and the search engine 112 (notshown for clarity) may include, without limitation, a processing unit,internal system memory, and a suitable system bus for coupling varioussystem components, including one or more databases for storinginformation (e.g., files and metadata associated therewith). Each of thecomputing device 110 and the search engine 112 typically includes, orhas access to, a variety of computer-readable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable media may include computer-storagemedia and communication media. In general, communication media enableeach server to exchange data via a network, e.g., network 116. Morespecifically, communication media may embody computer-readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in amodulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transportmechanism, and may include any information-delivery media. As usedherein, the term “modulated data signal” refers to a signal that has oneor more of its attributes set or changed in such a manner as to encodeinformation in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media include wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the abovealso may be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

Embodiments of the invention provide query completions in response toprefixes received from the user. The query completions are transmittedto the computing device for display to the user. The user may ignore thequery completion or initiate a search utilizing one or more of the querycompletions. The query completions may include contact information forthe entities included in the query completion.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary computing device includinga user interface on which query completions may be presented, thecomputing device being suitable for implementing embodiments of theinvention. As shown in FIG. 2, the exemplary computing device 200includes a search selector 210, and a user interface 212 on which querycompletions 214 may be selected. In the illustrated embodiment, thesearch selector 210 is a hardware-based search selector. It will beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the searchselector 210 may alternatively be a software-based search selectorand/or a combination of a hardware-based and software-based searchselector in accordance with embodiments hereof. In accordance with theembodiments of the invention, query completions 214 are presented inassociation with the user interface 212 while the user is inputting thequery prefixes 216.

Upon receiving an indication that the search selector 210 has beenselected, one or more search results are presented in association withthe user interface 212 of the computing device 200. The search resultsare presented based on the selected query terms.

The graphical user interface displayed on the computing device mayinclude the query completions received from the search engine. Thegraphical user interface may also include contact information, likeaddress and phone number of the entities that match the prefix andlocation received from the computing device.

FIG. 3 is a graphical user interface 300 illustrating a display of thequery completions in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Theuser may enter a prefix, like “E” into a text field 320 of the graphicaluser interface. The user may utilize an input device like a keyboard,keypad, or touch screen to enter the prefix. In turn, the computingdevice may receive entities that match the prefix and that are near thecurrent location of the user. The computing device receives the querycompletions of the prefix and current location. The query completionsmay include “EL GAUCHO,” “EASTERN FOOD TRUCK,” etc.

FIG. 4 is another graphical user interface 400 illustrating a display ofthe query completions in accordance with embodiments of the invention.The user may enter a prefix, like “S” into a text field 410 of thegraphical user interface. The user may utilize an input device like akeyboard, keypad, or touch screen to enter the prefix. In turn, thecomputing device may receive entities that match the prefix and that arenear the current location of the user. The computing device receives thequery completions of the prefix and current location. The querycompletions may include “SOONBUCKS,” “SUSHI,” “SANDWICH SHOP,” etc.

In some embodiments, the entities included in the data store may belocated anywhere in the world. A map structure may be utilized to createlevels and tiles for storing the entity data. At a first level, theentity data may be divided among 4 tiles. At the subsequent level, theentity data may be divided among 16 tiles. At a final level, the entitydata may be divided among 64 tiles. This allows the search engine toefficiently identify matches as the user provides the prefix data forthe query.

FIG. 5 is a map diagram illustrating exemplary levels and tiles for thedatabase 500 utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention.The database may include several levels: a first level 510, a secondlevel 520, and a final level 530. Each level has varying numbers oftiles. With each tile, entities that are within the geographic regionassociated with the tile are stored with the corresponding tileidentifier. Thus, at the each lower level, the number of entities pertile may decrease. This structure allows the search engine to quicklymove to a new level, if the previous level returned more than thethreshold number of matches. Once the appropriate level is found, thetile corresponding to the location of the user is identified. In turn,the level id, tile id, and prefix are utilized to return a specifiednumber of matches to the prefix received from the user. The matches arethen ranked and the top results are provided to the user as querycompletions.

In other embodiments, the server device executing the search engine alsoexecutes a query completion component. The query completion componentreceives the prefix and location data from the computing device. Theprefix and location data are utilized by the server device to identifyentities that are close to the user. In turn, the matching entities aretransmitted to the computing device for display to the user.

FIG. 6 is a logic diagram illustrating an exemplary method to providequery completions in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Themethod initializes in step 602. In step 604, the server device mayreceive a prefix and location information. The prefix and locationinformation may be provided by a computing device utilized by the user.In turn, the server device, in step 606, may match the location andprefix with names and locations of entities stored in a database. In oneembodiment, the database may store the entities as tries. The tries mayinclude names for entities that match the prefix.

The server device receives a count of the matches to the location andprefix, in step 608. In step 610, the server device may determinewhether the count is within a predetermined range. In one embodiment,the predetermined range is between 50 and 51. In another embodiment, thepredetermined range is between 10 and 20.

If the count is not within the predetermined range, the server devicechecks, in step 612, whether the count is below a lower threshold of thepredetermined range. If the count is below the predetermined range, theserver device, in step 616, increases the count by increasing a radiusutilized to identify the matches to the location.

If the count is not below the lower threshold of the predeterminedrange, the server device, in step 614, checks whether the count is abovean upper threshold of the predetermined range. If the count is above thepredetermined range, the server device, in step 618, reduces the countby reducing a radius utilized to identify the matches to the location.

In turn, when the count is within the predetermined range, the serverdevice, in step 620, ranks the matches. The rank calculated by theserver device may be based on popularity of the entities. The popularitymay be based on user reviews, expert reviews, or frequency of appearancein search logs. The rank may also be based on distances a user thatprovided the prefix is currently from the entities.

In step 622, the server device may return the names of the entities thatinclude the prefix based on the rank. The server device may select 8entities with the highest ranks and return them as query completion forthe prefix. The 8 entities are transmitted to a user. In one embodiment,the entities may include entities gathered from a popularity trie. Themethod terminates in step 624.

Accordingly, embodiments of the invention return query completions thatare based on the current location of the user. The query completions aretransmitted to the user as the user enters a query in a computingdevice. The query completions may include contact information that isutilized by the user to determine the distance an entity is currentlyfrom the user. For instance, the query completions may include thenumber of miles or kilometers an entity is located from the currentlocation of the user.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an exemplary computing systemenvironment suitable for implementing embodiments of the invention. Withreference to FIG. 7, an exemplary device for implementing aspects of thesubject matter described herein includes a mobile computing device 700.Though embodiments of the invention are not limited to implementation onmobile computing devices, FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a suitablemobile computing device 700 on which aspects of the subject matterdescribed herein may be implemented. The mobile computing device 700 isonly one example of a device and is not intended to suggest anylimitation as to the scope of use or functionality of aspects of thesubject matter described herein. Neither should the mobile computingdevice 700 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirementrelating to any one or combination of components illustrated in theexemplary mobile computing device 700.

In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 700 comprises a cellphone, a handheld device that allows voice communications with others,some other voice communications device, or the like. In theseembodiments, the mobile computing device 700 may be equipped with acamera for taking pictures, although this may not be required in otherembodiments. In other embodiments, the mobile computing device 700comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA); handheld gaming device;notebook computer; printer; appliance including a set-top, media center,or other appliance; other mobile devices; or the like. In yet otherembodiments, the mobile computing device 700 may comprise devices thatare generally considered nonmobile such as personal computers, servers,or the like.

Components of the mobile computing device 700 may include, but are notlimited to, a processing unit 705, system memory 710, and a bus 715 thatcouples various system components including the system memory 710 to theprocessing unit 705. The bus 715 may include any of several types of busstructures including a memory bus, memory controller, a peripheral bus,and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures, and thelike. The bus 715 allows data to be transmitted between variouscomponents of the mobile computing device 700.

The mobile computing device 700 may include a variety ofcomputer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any availablemedia that can be accessed by the mobile computing device 700 andincludes both volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable andnon-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation,computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media andcommunication media. Computer storage media include volatile andnonvolatile, removable and nonremovable media implemented in any methodor technology for storage of information such as computer-readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computerstorage media include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium, which can be used to store the desired information and which canbe accessed by the mobile computing device 700.

Communication media may include any information delivery media,typically embodied in computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules, and/or may include other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism. The term“modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of itscharacteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode informationin the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communicationmedia include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, Wi-Fi,WiMAX, and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above alsomay be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

The system memory 710 includes computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory and may include read only memory(ROM) and random access memory (RAM). On a mobile computing device suchas a cell phone, operating system code 720 is sometimes included in ROMalthough, in other embodiments, this is not required. Similarly,application programs 725 are often placed in RAM although again, inother embodiments, application programs may be placed in ROM or in othercomputer-readable memory. The heap 730 provides memory for the statesassociated with the operating system 720 and/or the application programs725. For example, the operating system 720 and application programs 725may store variables and data structures in the heap 730 during theiroperations.

The mobile computing device 700 may also include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile memory. By way of example,FIG. 7 illustrates a flash card 735, a hard disk drive 736, and a memorystick 737. The hard disk drive 736 may be miniaturized to fit in amemory slot, for example. The mobile computing device 700 may interfacewith these types of non-volatile removable memory via a removable memoryinterface 731, or may be connected via a universal serial bus (USB),IEEE 1934, one or more of the wired port(s) 740, or antenna(s) 765. Oneof the antennas 765 may receive GPS data. In these embodiments, theremovable memory devices 735-737 may interface with the mobile devicevia the communications module(s) 732. In some embodiments, not all ofthese types of memory may be included on a single mobile device. Inother embodiments, one or more of these and other types of removablememory may be included on a single mobile device.

In some embodiments, the hard disk drive 736 may be connected in such away as to be more permanently attached to the mobile computing device700. For example, the hard disk drive 736 may be connected to aninterface such as parallel advanced technology attachment (PATA), serialadvanced technology attachment (SATA) or otherwise, which may beconnected to the bus 715. In such embodiments, removing the hard drivemay involve removing a cover of the mobile computing device 700 andremoving screws or other fasteners that connect the hard drive 736 tosupport structures within the mobile computing device 700.

The removable memory devices 735-737 and their associated computerstorage media, described above and illustrated in FIG. 7, providestorage of computer-readable instructions, program modules, datastructures, and other data for the mobile computing device 700. Forexample, the removable memory device or devices 735-737 may store imagestaken by the mobile computing device 700, voice recordings, contactinformation, programs, data for the programs, and so forth.

A user may enter commands and information into the mobile computingdevice 700 through input devices such as a keypad 741 and the microphone742. In some embodiments, the display 743 may be a touch-sensitivescreen and may allow a user to enter commands and information thereon.The keypad 741 and display 743 may be connected to the processing unit705 through a user input interface 750 that is coupled to the bus 715,but may also be connected by other interface and bus structures, such asthe communications module(s) 732 and wired port(s) 740.

A user may communicate with other users via speaking into the microphone742 and via text messages that are entered on the key pad 741 or atouch-sensitive display 743, for example. The audio unit 755 may provideelectrical signals to drive the speaker 744 as well as receive anddigitize audio signals received from the microphone 742.

The mobile computing device 700 may include a video unit 760 thatprovides signals to drive a camera 761. The video unit 760 may alsoreceive images obtained by the camera 761 and provide these images tothe processing unit 705 and/or memory included on the mobile device 700.The images obtained by the camera 761 may comprise video, one or moreimages that do not form a video, or some combination thereof.

The communication module(s) 732 may provide signals to and receivesignals from one or more antenna(s) 765. One of the antenna(s) 765 maytransmit and receive messages for a cell phone network. Another antennamay transmit and receive Bluetooth messages. Yet another antenna (or ashared antenna) may transmit and receive network messages via a wirelessEthernet network standard.

In some embodiments, a single antenna may be used to transmit and/orreceive messages for more than one type of network. For example, asingle antenna may transmit and receive voice and packet messages.

When operated in a networked environment, the mobile computing device700 may connect to one or more remote devices. The remote devices mayinclude a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a cellphone, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described above relative to themobile device 700.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing another exemplary computing systemenvironment suitable for implementing embodiments of the invention. Theexemplary operating environment for implementing embodiments of theinvention is shown and designated generally as computing device 800. Thecomputing device 800 is but one example of a suitable computingenvironment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of the invention. Neither should thecomputing device 800 be interpreted as having any dependency orrequirement relating to any one or combination of componentsillustrated.

Embodiments of the invention may be described in the general context ofcomputer code or machine-useable instructions, includingcomputer-executable instructions such as program modules, being executedby a computer or other machine, such as a personal data assistant orother handheld device. Generally, program modules including routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., refer to code thatperforms particular tasks or implements particular abstract data types.Embodiments of the invention may be practiced in a variety of systemconfigurations, including handheld devices, consumer electronics,general-purpose computers, more specialty computing devices, etc.Embodiments of the invention may also be practiced in distributedcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote-processingdevices that are linked through a communications network.

With continued reference to FIG. 8, the computing device 800 includes abus 810 that directly or indirectly couples the following devices:memory 812, one or more processors 814, one or more presentationcomponents 816, input/output ports 818, input/output components 820, andan illustrative power supply 822. The bus 810 represents what may be oneor more busses (such as an address bus, data bus, or combinationthereof).

Although the various blocks of FIG. 8 are shown with lines for the sakeof clarity, in reality, delineating various components is not so clear,and metaphorically, the lines would more accurately be grey and fuzzy.For example, one may consider a presentation component such as a displaydevice to be an I/O component. Additionally, many processors havememory. The inventors hereof recognize that such is the nature of theart, and reiterate that the diagram of FIG. 8 is merely illustrative ofan exemplary computing device that can be used in connection with one ormore embodiments of the invention. Distinction is not made between suchcategories as “workstation,” “server,” “laptop,” “handheld device,”etc., as all are contemplated within the scope of FIG. 8 and referenceto “computing device.”

The computing device 800 typically includes a variety ofcomputer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any availablemedia that can be accessed by computing device 800 and include bothvolatile and nonvolatile media, removable and nonremovable media. By wayof example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprisecomputer storage media and communication media. Computer storage mediainclude volatile and nonvolatile, removable and nonremovable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data. Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM,ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium which can be used to store the desired informationand which can be accessed by computing device 800. Communication mediatypically embody computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as acarrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any informationdelivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that hasone or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media include wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

The memory 812 includes computer-storage media in the form of volatileand/or nonvolatile memory. The memory may be removable, nonremovable, ora combination thereof. Exemplary hardware devices include solid-statememory, hard drives, optical-disc drives, etc. Computing device 800includes one or more processors that read data from various entitiessuch as memory 812 or I/O components 820. Presentation component(s) 816present data indications to a user or other device. Exemplarypresentation components include a display device, speaker, printingcomponent, vibrating component, etc.

The I/O ports 818 allow computing device 800 to be logically coupled toother devices including the I/O components 820, some of which may bebuilt in. Illustrative components include a microphone, joystick, gamepad, satellite dish, scanner, printer, wireless device, etc.

Aspects of the subject matter described herein are operational withnumerous other general purpose or special purpose computing systemenvironments or configurations. Examples of well-known computingsystems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable foruse with aspects of the subject matter described herein include, but arenot limited to, personal computers, server computers, handheld or laptopdevices, multiprocessor systems, microcontroller-based systems, set-topboxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers,mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include anyof the above systems or devices, and the like.

Aspects of the subject matter described herein may be described in thegeneral context of computer-executable instructions, such as programmodules, being executed by a mobile device. Generally, program modulesinclude routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and soforth, which perform particular tasks or implement particular abstractdata types. Aspects of the subject matter described herein may also bepracticed in distributed computing environments where tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules may be located in both local and remote computer storage mediaincluding memory storage devices.

Furthermore, although the term server is often used herein, it will berecognized that this term may also encompass a client, a set of one ormore processes distributed on one or more computers, one or morestand-alone storage devices, a set of one or more other devices, acombination of one or more of the above, and the like.

While the embodiments of the invention are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative constructions, certain illustratedembodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been describedabove in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is nointention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but onthe contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternativeconstructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope ofthe embodiments of the invention.

In summary, a server device identifies query completions by accessing adatabase storing entity data based on maps having varying levels andtiles. Each tile on each level represents distinct geographical regions.The levels contain the same number of entities but each level includes adifferent number of tiles. More tiles yield fewer entities per tile. Inone embodiment, the database may store a count on the number of entitiesper tile.

For instance, if the user types in a short prefix a higher level may notbe the best place to start comparisons because the server device mayreceive a large data set. The server device may increase or decreaselevels based on the size of the data set returned by the database. Theserver device may decrease levels until the tile density is low enough.In certain embodiments, the database includes tries. The tries may storelevel id, tile id, and entity name The tries are a data structure thattake a prefix and return completions that begin with the prefix withinthe corresponding level and tile.

In one embodiment, a map may include three levels. In the first level,the matching tile may include over 3,000 matching entities. In asubsequent level, the matching tile may have 500 matching entities. Inthe final level, the matching tile may include less than 50 matchingentities. In turn, the server device receives and processes the matchingentities associated with the matching entities. Because the number ofentities is below the threshold, the server device may include matchingentities from neighboring tiles by expanding the radius of the matchinglocation to include neighboring tiles. The entities may be ranked by theserver device based on distance, popularity, and user rating. The top 8entities, including address and distance from user, may be returned tothe user as query completions. The query completions include areasonable number of matches to minimize loss of relevance by relaxingthe threshold to include neighboring tiles.

The embodiments of the invention have been described in relation to aparticular exemplary search engine and computing device, which areintended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive.Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art to which the invention pertains without departing from itsscope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A server device for storing entities forretrieval, the server device comprising: one or more processors thatreceive a prefix and a location, and map the location to a tile in oneor more levels of a database structure that represents a geographic areaat a plurality of levels, each level divided into a plurality of tileseach having a geographic scope, and for successive levels, the tiles ineach successive level have a progressively reduced geographic scope; andone or more storage locations that store the entities in multiple levelsbased on locations associated with the entities, wherein the entitiesare stored in tries including a level identifier, a tile identifier, andan entity name, wherein the tries return matching entities that beginwith the prefix to the one or more processors for ranking based onpopularity and distance from a user that provides the prefix and thelocation; wherein mapping the location comprises selecting between afirst level and a second level, from the successive levels, forreturning the matching entities based at least in part on a first countof matching entities in a first tile at the first level.
 2. The serverdevice of claim 1, wherein the prefix and the location are received froma mobile device.
 3. The server device of claim 2, wherein the matchingentities are transmitted to the user.
 4. The server device of claim 3,wherein the matching entities transmitted to the user include names thatare partial matches to the prefix received from the mobile device. 5.The server device of claim 4, wherein the matching entities transmittedto the user include a name and contact information of the matchingentities within a radius of a current location of the mobile device. 6.The server device of claim 1, wherein the levels each include tiles thatgroup the entities.
 7. The server device of claim 6, wherein at eachlevel the geographic scope of the tiles is reduced.
 8. The server deviceof claim 7, wherein each of the stored entities is represented at eachlevel.
 9. The server device of claim 8, wherein the tiles at each levelinclude a variable number of entities.
 10. A system for storing entitiesfor retrieval, the system comprising: a query completion componenthaving one or more processors that receive a prefix and a location, andmap the location to a tile in one or more levels of a database structurethat represents a geographic area at a plurality of levels, each leveldivided into a plurality of tiles each having a geographic scope, andfor successive levels, the tiles in each successive level have aprogressively reduced geographic scope; and a data store componenthaving one or more storage locations that store the entities in multiplelevels based on locations associated with the entities, wherein theentities are stored in tries including a level identifier, a tileidentifier, and an entity name, wherein the tries return matchingentities that begin with the prefix to the one or more processors forranking based on popularity and distance from a user that provides theprefix and the location; wherein mapping the location comprisesselecting between a first level and a second level, from the successivelevels, for returning the matching entities based at least in part on atile density in a first tile at the first level.
 11. The system of claim10, wherein the prefix and the location are received from a mobiledevice.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the matching entities aretransmitted to the user.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein thematching entities transmitted to the user include names that are partialmatches to the prefix received from the mobile device.
 14. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the matching entities transmitted to the user includea name and contact information of the matching entities within a radiusof a current location of the mobile device.
 15. The system of claim 10,wherein the levels each include tiles that group the entities.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein at each level the geographic scope of thetiles is reduced.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein each of the storedentities is represented at each level.
 18. The system of claim 17,wherein the tiles at each level include a variable number of entities.19. At least one memory device storing computer-usable instructionswhich, when executed by at least one processor, implement a method ofstoring entities for retrieval, the method comprising: receiving aprefix and a location; mapping the location to a tile in one or morelevels of a database structure that represents a geographic area at aplurality of levels, each level divided into a plurality of tiles eachhaving a geographic scope, and for successive levels, the tiles in eachsuccessive level have a progressively reduced geographic scope; andstoring the entities in multiple levels in the database structure basedon locations associated with the entities, wherein the entities arestored in tries including a level identifier, a tile identifier, and anentity name, wherein the tries return matching entities that begin withthe prefix to the at least one processor for ranking based on popularityand distance from a user that provides the prefix and the location;wherein mapping the location comprises selecting between a first leveland a second level, from the successive levels, for returning thematching entities based at least in part on a size of a data setreturned from the database structure for a first tile at the firstlevel.
 20. The at least one memory device of claim 19, wherein theprefix and the location are received from a mobile device.